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Superintendent Carstarphen: Weather Impact on AISD Schools

October 31, 2013

AISD Colleagues:

As you know, AISD staff, parents and students were impacted by the severe weather last evening.

Today, two schools—Perez ES and Palm ES—were closed because of high water, lack of electricity, and inability to access the campus. In total, four campuses—Palm ES, Blazier ES, Widen ES and Mendez MS—operated with intermittent to no power throughout the day. The students at the schools were kept safe and engaged despite the lack of power. Let me give giant KUDOS to these principals for their excellent management of the difficult circumstances this morning. They did an outstanding job keeping kids safe and focused on learning.

We are awaiting notification from Austin Energy on the possibility of returning power to Blazier ES, Palm ES and Perez ES by tonight or tomorrow morning. Staff is notifying the parents at these schools that the opening of school tomorrow is unclear, but that they will communicate with parents first thing in the morning about the status of the opening of school. We are also letting families know of the resources available through the schools and the community to assist parents and families devastated by this event.

If you or anyone you know on our AISD staff were affected by this event and need guidance and counseling assistance, please have them contact the Employee Assistance Program through Jerry Webb at 512-414-9687.

I want to close with another giant thank you to the other principals and staff around the district who supported these campuses today. Principals at other campuses released staff, counselors and parent support specialists to assist these campuses, students, staff and families as needed. Transportation provided buses as needed to move kids to other schools, and food service was there to support these campuses with additional food as well. It is great to know that we support each other and that we have such a great TEAM!